How To Work In Portugal As A Foreigner

Portugal effortlessly blends historical charm with modern conveniences. With great weather, friendly locals and an affordable cost of living, Portugal is an attractive option for foreigners looking for jobs. Portugal is also one of the safest countries in the world.

Why TEFL is best for Portugal job opportunities

Teaching English is a good option for work in Portugal because it’s an easy way to find work in Portugal for English-speakers.

TEFL teachers teach in language centres, international schools and in-company. There is particularly a demand for Business English. Jobs for Americans in Portugal are also in demand in international schools, many of which are American.

TEFL teachers in Portugal earn approximately € 1,200 – €1,600 ($1,300 – $1,850) a month.

Read more: Teach English In Portugal

Requirements to work abroad in Portugal

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals don’t require a visa to work in Portugal. But if you plan to stay for longer than 90 days you need to apply for a Residence Permit.

UK and Irish citizens must apply for authorisation to work in Portugal via the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). 

All other nationalities must apply for a Work Permit to work in Portugal. Non-EU nationals require a letter of employment from a Portuguese employer, who will apply for the visa on your behalf. You also need to show proof of accommodation, health insurance and sufficient funds to cover your stay.

The Work Permit is applied for before entering the country. Once in Portugal you apply for a Work Visa and a Residence Permit.

Jobs in Portugal require different visas. The Work Visas available to foreigners looking for jobs in Portugal are:

• Work Visa for Skilled Workers
• Work Visa for Self-Employment
• Work Visa for Highly Skilled Workers
• Work Visa for Cultural Activities
• Work Visa for Teaching
• Work Visa for Tech, and
• Passive Income Visa.

For foreigners with remote job opportunities, Portugal offers a Digital Nomad Visa which is valid for two years. 

Read more: The Digital Nomad Visa: A Ticket To Your Best Life

Another option is to be a student in Portugal. If you study in Portugal you are eligible for a Student Visa which allows you to work 10 hours a week.

The best cities to live in Portugal

Lisbon is the obvious choice for expats looking for work opportunities in Portugal. Shopping, nightlife and beaches, Lisbon is not the cheapest place to live in Portugal but it might be the vibiest.

Porto is smaller and cheaper than Lisbon and rivals the capital in terms of culture and entertainment – and tourists. Porto is known to attract tech professionals. 

Aveiro is popular with expats because it is quieter, with fewer tourists. Coimbra is another popular option with a low cost but high quality of living.

Do you need to speak Portuguese to work in Portugal?

Do people speak English in Portugal? Yes, they do. Is it necessary to speak Portuguese in Portugal? Also yes. 

While you can get by in Portugal speaking English as a tourist, speaking Portuguese is necessary when dealing with government officials and offices. 

A working knowledge of Portuguese is essential for jobs in Portugal because of the competition for positions, unless you are an English teacher. If you’d like to work in tourism and hospitality, a knowledge of Spanish, French or German would be helpful.

However, jobs in Portugal for English-speakers are available. Teaching English is one of them. 

Salaries, benefits and cost of living in Portugal

In Portugal employees work a standard 40-hour week, but the hours are usually 9am to 6pm with a two-hour lunch break.

Employees in Portugal are entitled to:

• 150 days parental leave 
• 22 paid annual leave days plus 12 public holidays
• Sick leave
• Childcare leave
• Social security
• Pension

The minimum wage in Portugal is €822.50 ($880) a month.

The cost of living in Lisbon (Portugal’s most expensive city) is approximately €1,200 ($1,300) a month. If you’re looking for jobs for Americans in Portugal you’ll be pleased to know that the cost of living in Portugal is approximately 40% less than the US.

What types of jobs are popular in Portugal?

Jobs in Portugal for foreigners include:

• IT specialists
• Healthcare workers
• Agricultural workers
• Construction workers
• Metalworkers
• Call centre workers

Foreigners with specialisations in any of these fields are especially in demand.

English teacher

Teaching job vacancies in Portugal are generally found in Lisbon, Porto, Braga and Coimbra. Braga is actually one of the most affordable cities to live in Portugal, so one of the best places to live in Portugal for English-speakers if you’re looking to save money.

Teaching jobs can be found in language centres and on summer camps.

Boasting 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s no wonder English teachers look for job opportunities in Portugal.

Tourism and hospitality

Seasonal work is a major part of job vacancies in Portugal because of the massive tourism industry. 

Positions are available in budget hostels to high-end accommodation, including Customer Services, cheffing, waitronning, front-of-house, and reception work. 

Digital nomad

Digital nomads are flocking to Portugal in their droves. Besides the obvious reasons (the great weather, food and general liveability of the country), the Portuguese government has made a concerted effort to attract digital nomads. 

Lisbon is fast becoming a digital nomad hub. Besides the great weather – Lisbon has on average 10 hours of sunshine a day in winter – Lisbon offers excellent public transport and a thriving cafe culture.

Madeira and Fundão are another two cities which established “Digital Nomad Villages” and co-working spaces to establish a community of remote workers. 

Ready to work abroad in Portugal?

Does Portugal sound like your scene? Get yourself a job in Portugal and live your best life.